Sprocket

ABSTRACT

A sprocket includes a first body with a plurality of teeth radially projecting therefrom, and second bodies on and limited to alternating teeth of the plurality of teeth, with the second bodies increasing an overall axial width of the alternating teeth of the plurality of teeth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/976,646 filed on Apr. 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.

This application is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/601,872 filed on even date herewith.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to sprockets and, more specifically, relates to a sprocket having alternating wide and narrow teeth for use as a chainring on a bicycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left-front perspective view of one example of a sprocket in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a right-front perspective view of the sprocket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the sprocket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the sprocket of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views from the perspective of lines A-A and B-B, respectively, of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the sprocket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area within the broken line circle of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the area within the broken line circle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area within the broken line circle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8A is an exploded view of an area similar to FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the area within the broken line circle of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views from the perspective of lines A-A and B-B, respectively, of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a left-front perspective view of one example of a sprocket in accordance with the present disclosure engaged with a section of a roller chain.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the area within the broken line circle of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 11 with an outer link plate removed from the roller chain on an outboard side of the sprocket.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the sprocket of FIG. 10 engaged with a section of a roller chain.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the area within the broken line circle of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view from the perspective of line A-A of FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 14 with an outer link plate removed from the roller chain on an outboard side of the sprocket.

FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view from the perspective of line A-A of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific examples in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are left-front and right-front perspective views, respectively, of one example of a sprocket 10 for use as a chainring on a bicycle (not shown). In addition, FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and rear views, respectively, of sprocket 10. Furthermore, FIG. 5 is a side view of sprocket 10, where the side view of FIG. 5 represents left, right, top, and bottom views of sprocket 10, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area within the broken line circle of FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, sprocket 10 includes a body 12 and a plurality of teeth 14 radially, outwardly extending, projecting from body 12. In one example, body 12 includes one or more mounting holes (not shown) for mounting or securing sprocket 10 to a crank assembly (not shown) of a bicycle. It is understood that the number, size, form, configuration, and/or arrangement of mounting holes may vary. In addition, sprocket 10 may include one or more other features (in addition to and/or in place of mounting holes) to mount or secure sprocket 10 to a crank assembly.

In one example, sprocket 10 has a rotational axis R and a centerline C normal to rotational axis R such that sprocket 10 rotates about rotational axis R in a plane coinciding with centerline C normal to rotational axis R. In the example illustrated, sprocket 10 rotates in a drive direction D about rotational axis R such that teeth 14 each have a drive side 18 and a non-drive side 20 relative to drive direction D. In addition, teeth 14 each have opposite lateral sides 22 relative to centerline C and drive direction D. Although illustrated as being circular in shape, sprocket 10 may be non-circular, for example, elliptical, pseudo-elliptical, oval, ovoid, parabolic, etc.

The front view of FIG. 3 represents an outboard side 24 of sprocket 10 and the rear view of FIG. 4 represents an inboard side 26 of sprocket 10 when sprocket 10 is mounted or secured to a crank assembly of a bicycle and rotated (driven) in drive direction D. In one example, teeth 14 of sprocket 10 are substantially symmetrical about centerline C such that a shape or profile of teeth 14 on outboard side 24 and inboard side 26 substantially mirror each other. In one example, as described below, teeth 14 of sprocket 10 engage a roller chain such that rotation of sprocket 10 in drive direction D imparts movement to the roller chain.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, teeth 14 include alternating teeth of different overall width or thickness. More specifically, in one example, and with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, teeth 14 include a plurality of first teeth 100 each having a first, overall width W1 (defined as or formed by a maximum width of first teeth 100 between opposite lateral sides 22) and a plurality of second teeth 200 each having a second, overall width W2 (defined as or formed by a maximum width of second teeth 200 between opposite lateral sides 22) such that second, overall width W2 is greater than first, overall width W1.

In one example, first teeth 100 and second teeth 200 are alternately arranged with one second tooth 200 positioned between two first teeth 100 (or one first tooth 100 positioned between two second teeth 200). As such, first teeth 100 and second teeth 200 form a sequence or series of alternating wide and narrow teeth about a periphery of sprocket 10. In one example, first teeth 100 and second teeth 200 each include an even number of teeth and, more specifically, each include the same number of teeth.

In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, first teeth 100 and second teeth 200 are aligned along centerline C. In addition, in one example, first teeth 100 and second teeth 200 are substantially symmetrical about centerline C. As such, the shapes and/or profiles of first teeth 100 and second teeth 200 are substantially symmetrical about centerline C.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are enlarged views of the areas within the broken line circles of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, respectively. More specifically, FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 illustrate the shapes and/or profiles of first teeth 100 and second teeth 200 from the perspective of outboard side 24 of sprocket 10. As teeth 14 of sprocket 10 are substantially symmetrical about centerline C, the illustrations and associated descriptions of the shapes and/or profiles of first teeth 100 and second teeth 200 from the perspective of outboard side 24 of sprocket 10 are also applicable to the shapes and/or profiles of first teeth 100 and second teeth 200 from the perspective of inboard side 26 of sprocket 10.

In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, first teeth 100 each terminate with a tip portion 102, and include a base or root portion 104 extended from body 12 of sprocket 10 and an intermediate portion 106 formed or defined between root portion 104 and tip portion 102. Intermediate portion 106 provides a lateral surface 108 of first teeth 100 such that a width W12 (FIG. 9A) of intermediate portion 106 is formed by or defined between lateral surfaces 108 as provided on opposite sides 22 of first teeth 100. In one example, first, overall width W1 of first teeth 100 is formed or defined by width W12 of intermediate portion 106.

In one example, first teeth 100 each include a front (leading) or drive-side surface 110 and a rear (trailing) or non-drive-side surface 120. In one example, drive-side surface 110 of first teeth 100 includes and/or is formed or defined by a drive-side face 112 and a drive-side flank 114, and non-drive-side surface 120 of first teeth 100 includes and/or is formed or defined by a non-drive-side face 122 and a non-drive-side flank 124. In one example, drive-side face 112 extends between a top land 130 of tip portion 102 and drive-side flank 114, and drive-side flank 114 extends between drive-side face 112 and a bottom land 150 formed and/or defined between adjacent teeth. In addition, non-drive-side face 122 extends between top land 130 of tip portion 102 and non-drive-side flank 124, and non-drive-side flank 124 extends between non-drive-side face 122 and bottom land 150 formed and/or defined between adjacent teeth.

In one example, tooth tip radii 132 and 134 provide a transition between top land 130 and drive-side face 112 of drive-side surface 110 and non-drive-side face 122 of non-drive-side surface 120, respectively. In addition, in one example, a width W11 (FIG. 6) of top land 130 is substantially uniform and coincides with and/or is substantially the same as a width of tooth tip radii 132 and 134 at the transition between top land 130 and drive-side face 112 of drive-side surface 110 and non-drive-side face 122 of non-drive-side surface 120.

In one example, first teeth 100 each include a lateral tooth tip chamfer 136 formed and/or defined between intermediate portion 106 and tip portion 102. As such, lateral tooth tip chamfer 136 reduces a width of and provides a taper to first teeth 100 in a radial direction from lateral surface 108 of intermediate portion 106 to top land 130 of tip portion 102. Thus, width W11 (FIG. 6) of top land 130 of first teeth 100 is less than width W12 (FIG. 6) of intermediate portion 106 of first teeth 100 as defined by opposite lateral surfaces 108.

In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, second teeth 200 each terminate with a tip portion 202, and include a base or root portion 204 extended from body 12 of sprocket 10 and an intermediate portion 206 formed or defined between root portion 204 and tip portion 202. Intermediate portion 206 provides a lateral surface 208 of second teeth 200 such that a width W22 (FIG. 9B) of intermediate portion 206 is formed by or defined between lateral surfaces 208 as provided on opposite sides 22 of second teeth 200. In one example, width W22 (FIG. 6) of intermediate portion 206 of second teeth 200 is substantially the same as (substantially equal to) width W12 (FIG. 6) of intermediate portion 106 of first teeth 100.

In one example, second teeth 200 each include a front (leading) or drive-side surface 210 and a rear (trailing) or non-drive-side surface 220. In one example, drive-side surface 210 of second teeth 200 includes and/or is formed or defined by a drive-side face 212 and a drive-side flank 214, and non-drive-side surface 220 of second teeth 200 includes and/or is formed or defined by a non-drive-side face 222 and a non-drive-side flank 224. In one example, drive-side face 212 extends between a top land 230 of tip portion 202 and drive-side flank 214, and drive-side flank 214 extends between drive-side face 212 and bottom land 150 formed and/or defined between adjacent teeth. In addition, non-drive-side face 222 extends between top land 230 of tip portion 202 and non-drive-side flank 224, and non-drive-side flank 224 extends between non-drive-side face 222 and bottom land 150 formed and/or defined between adjacent teeth.

In one example, tooth tip radii 232 and 234 provide a transition between top land 230 and drive-side face 212 of drive-side surface 210 and non-drive-side face 222 of non-drive-side surface 220, respectively. In addition, in one example, a width W21 (FIG. 6) of top land 230 is substantially uniform and coincides with and/or is substantially the same as a width of tooth tip radii 232 and 234 at the transition between top land 230 and drive-side face 212 of drive-side surface 210 and non-drive-side face 222 of non-drive-side surface 220.

In one example, second teeth 200 each include a lateral tooth tip chamfer 236 formed and/or defined between intermediate portion 206 and tip portion 202. As such, lateral tooth tip chamfer 236 reduces a width of and provides a taper to second teeth 200 in a radial direction from lateral surface 208 of intermediate portion 206 to top land 230 of tip portion 202. Thus, width W21 (FIG. 6) of top land 230 of second teeth 200 is less than width W22 (FIG. 6) of intermediate portion 206 of second teeth 200 as defined by opposite lateral surfaces 208.

In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, width W21 of top land 230 of second teeth 200 is greater than width W11 (FIG. 6) of top land 130 of first teeth 100. Width W21 of top land 230, however, may be less than width W11 of top land 130. In addition, width W21 of top land 230 and width W11 of top land 130 may be substantially the same (substantially equal).

In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, second teeth 200 each include an insert 300. As such, second teeth 200 are composite or hybrid teeth each formed by a respective tooth 14 and a respective insert 300. In one example, insert 300 is an attachment or add-on to a respective tooth 14 and increases an effective, overall width of second teeth 200 in an axial direction. As such, sprocket 10 is a multi-body sprocket including body 12, as a first (ring-shaped) body with teeth 14, and inserts 300, as a plurality of second bodies, provided on alternating teeth 14 to form second teeth 200 with second, overall width W2 (FIG. 9B).

In one example, insert 300 is formed of a material different than that of teeth 14 (as formed with body 12). More specifically, in one example, insert 300 is formed of a polymer material, ceramic, steel, bronze, or other alloy, or other material, and teeth 14 are formed of steel, titanium, aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or other material. In addition, material of insert 300 may be selected to provide specific and/or desired contact and/or guiding characteristics including, for example, specific and/or desired wear and/or abrasion resistance and/or lubricating and/or acoustic properties.

In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, insert 300 includes insert portions 301 and 302. In one example, insert portions 301 and 302 are (substantially) the same, and each include a lateral portion 304 and a tip portion 306 extended from lateral portion 304. In one example, lateral portion 304 provides a lateral surface 308 of second teeth 200 such that second, overall width W2 (FIG. 9B) of second teeth 200 is formed by or defined as a maximum width between lateral surfaces 308 of insert 300 as provided on opposite sides 22 of second teeth 200.

In one example, tip portion 306 is tapered in a radial direction from lateral surface 308 of lateral portion 304 to an end or tip of insert 300 to provide a beveled or chamfer surface 320. As such, chamfer surface 320 provides a lateral (tooth tip) chamfer surface of or to second teeth 200.

In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, lateral portion 304 converges toward tip portion 306, and tip portion 306 converges from lateral portion 304 toward an end or tip of insert 300. Furthermore, in one example, lateral portion 304 and tip portion 306 include filleted or rounded corners and/or edges. As such, in one example, insert 300 has a compound, generally tapered baguette or keystone profile and/or shape. Insert 300, however, may have other profiles and/or shapes. For example, the shape of insert 300 may (substantially) follow (but be offset from) a profile of a respective second tooth 200.

In one example, insert 300, including insert portions 301 and 302, is a separate or discrete component mated with and/or attached or joined to a respective second tooth 200. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, insert portions 301 and 302 of a respective insert 300 are mated with and/or attached or joined to a respective second tooth 200 in an axial direction. Thus, insert 300 represents an axial insert. Insert portions 301 and 302 of insert 300 may be, for example, bonded, swaged, press-fit, welded, brazed, heat-staked, over-molded or otherwise mated with and/or attached or joined to a respective second tooth 200.

In one example, insert portions 301 and 302 each include one or more protrusions or mounting posts 310, and second teeth 200 include one or more cavities or holes 240 corresponding to and defined or formed to receive protrusions or mounting posts 310. As such, protrusions or mounting posts 310 of a respective insert 300 are fit or received within cavities or holes 240 of a respective second tooth 200. In one example, protrusions or mounting posts 310 are in contact with each other and/or joined together when fit or received within holes 240. In one example, cavities or holes 240 are formed within a recessed area 242 of second teeth 200, and insert portions 301 and 302 are fit or received within recessed area 242. Insert portions 301 and 302, however, may be otherwise mated with and/or attached or joined to a respective second tooth 200.

In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, insert 300 is positioned on a respective second tooth 200 such that a midline M of insert 300 (substantially) coincides with a plane P extended radially from rotational axis R (FIG. 5) through a tooth root center and tooth tip center of a respective second tooth 200. Insert 300, however, may be offset (“shifted”) relative to plane P such that insert 300 is positioned asymmetrically on a respective second tooth 200. For example, midline M of insert 300 may be offset in a direction opposite drive direction D relative to plane P.

In one example, second teeth 200, with respective inserts 300, are symmetrical about a tooth centerline CT (FIG. 9B) extended through drive-side surface 210 and non-drive-side surface 220. More specifically, in one example, tooth centerline CT intersects (bisects) drive-side surface 210 and non-drive-side surface 220, and is oriented substantially perpendicular to plane P. In one example, tooth centerline CT coincides with centerline C of sprocket 10 (FIG. 5, 6). Tooth centerline CT, however, may be offset from centerline C of sprocket 10.

FIGS. 10-15 illustrate one example of sprocket 10 engaged with a section of a roller chain 50. Sprocket 10 engages roller chain 50 such that rotation of sprocket 10 about rotational axis R (FIG. 5) in drive direction D imparts movement to roller chain 50. In one example, roller chain 50 includes and/or is formed by alternating, overlapping pairs of laterally spaced apart outer link plates 52 and laterally spaced apart inner link plates 54.

In one example, cylindrical rollers 56 are provided between inner link plates 54 at opposite ends of inner link plates 54, and outer link plates 52 and inner link plates 54 are pivotally interconnected by link pins 58 extended through rollers 56 and overlapping, opposite ends of outer link plates 52 and inner link plates 54. As such, inner link plates 54 are interleaved with outer link plates 52, and outer link plates 52 and inner link plates 54 form alternating teeth receiving openings or spacings of different width. More specifically, in one example, outer link plates 52 and inner link plates 54 form alternating wide and narrow teeth receiving openings 60 and 62, respectively.

In one example, alternating wide and narrow teeth receiving openings 60 and 62 of roller chain 50 are engaged by respective alternating wide and narrow teeth 14 of sprocket 10. More specifically, second (wide) teeth 200 of sprocket 10 engage wide teeth receiving openings 60, and first (narrow) teeth 100 of sprocket 10 engage narrow teeth receiving openings 62. As such, in one example, width W2 (FIG. 4B) of second teeth 200 and width W1 (FIG. 4A) of first teeth 100 correspondingly cooperate with wide teeth receiving openings 60 and narrow teeth receiving openings 62, respectively, of roller chain 50.

In one example, a relief 152 is provided in bottom land 150 between adjacent teeth 100 and 200. In one example, relief 152 extends between drive-side 18 of one tooth and non-drive-side 20 of an adjacent tooth (or between non-drive-side 20 of one tooth and drive-side 18 of an adjacent tooth). In one example, separate reliefs 152 are provided in bottom land 150 on outboard side 24 and inboard side 26 of sprocket 10.

In one example, relief 152 includes and/or is formed or defined by an arcuate chamfer formed between bottom land 150 and body 12 of sprocket 10, and between the drive-side flank of one tooth and the non-drive-side flank of an adjacent tooth. More specifically, in one example, one relief 152 extends from drive-side flank 114 of first teeth 100 to non-drive-side flank 224 and non-drive-side flank relief 254 of an adjacent second tooth 200, and another relief 152 extends from drive-side-flank 214 and drive-side flank relief 244 of second teeth 200 to non-drive-side flank 124 of an adjacent first tooth 100. Providing relief 152 in bottom land 150 between adjacent teeth 100 and 200 helps to clear debris (e.g., mud) from bottom land 150 so as to clear an area for rollers 56 of roller chain 50.

In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 14A and FIGS. 15 and 15A, when sprocket 10 is engaged with roller chain 50 and rotated (driven) in drive direction D, contact between teeth 14 of sprocket 10 and roller chain 50 includes contact between drive side 18 of teeth 14 and roller chain 50 and between lateral sides 22 of teeth 14 and roller chain 50. More specifically, when sprocket 10 is engaged with roller chain 50 and rotated (driven) in drive direction D, contact between second teeth 200 of sprocket 10 and roller chain 50 includes contact (direct contact) between drive-side surface 210 and rollers 56, and contact (incidental contact) between lateral surface 308 of inserts 300 and outer link plates 52.

In addition, in one example, when sprocket 10 is engaged with roller chain 50 and rotated (driven) in drive direction D, tension is generated on roller chain 50 in a direction of drive direction D such that, in one example, any stretch or “play” in roller chain 50 results in reduced (minimal) contact between non-drive-side surface 220 and rollers 56 of roller chain 50 (as compared to contact between drive-side surface 210 and rollers 56).

With second teeth 200 including inserts 300, as illustrated and described herein, contact between drive-side surface 210 of second teeth 200 and rollers 56 of roller chain 50 may be maintained (maximized) while maintaining clearance between second teeth 200 and inner link plates 54 of roller chain 50. In addition, with second teeth 200 including inserts 300, as illustrated and described herein, contact between lateral surface 308 of inserts 300 and outer link plates 52 of roller chain 50 may be maintained (maximized) while maintaining clearance between second teeth 200 and inner link plates 54 of roller chain 50. As such, drive-side surface 210 may fit more deeply within an area (“pocket”) formed between inner link plates 54 and rollers 56, so as to maximize (increase) contact between drive-side surface 210 and rollers 56 of roller chain 50.

Thus, by maintaining (maximizing) contact between drive-side surface 210 of second teeth 200 and rollers 56 of roller chain 50, and/or by maintaining (maximizing) contact between lateral surface 308 of inserts 300 and outer link plates 52 of roller chain 50, retention of roller chain 50 on sprocket 10 may be maintained (improved). In addition, by maintaining (maximizing) contact between drive-side surface 210 of second teeth 200 and rollers 56 of roller chain 50, and/or by maintaining (maximizing) contact between lateral surface 308 of inserts 300 and outer link plates 52 of roller chain 50, wear of sprocket 10 may be minimized (improved).

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examples discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sprocket, comprising: first teeth having a first maximum axial width; and second teeth having a second maximum axial width greater than the first maximum axial width, the second teeth alternately arranged with the first teeth, the second teeth each having insert portions to define the second maximum axial width thereof, the first teeth free of the insert portions, wherein the insert portions include a lateral portion and a tip portion extended from the lateral portion, wherein the lateral portion of the insert portions provides a lateral surface to the second teeth, and wherein the second maximum axial width of the second teeth is defined at the lateral surface of the lateral portion of the insert portions, wherein the tip portion of the insert portions is tapered in a radial direction from the lateral portion of the insert portions.
 2. The sprocket of claim 1, wherein the second teeth are substantially symmetrical about a centerline oriented substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the sprocket.
 3. The sprocket of claim 2, wherein a midline of the insert portions substantially coincides with a plane extended radially from the rotational axis of the sprocket through a root center and a tip center of a respective one of the second teeth.
 4. The sprocket of claim 1, wherein the first teeth and the second teeth each include a tip portion, a root portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween, wherein an axial width of the intermediate portion of the second teeth is substantially equal to an axial width of the intermediate portion of the first teeth.
 5. The sprocket of claim 4, wherein the first maximum axial width of the first teeth is defined at the intermediate portion of the first teeth.
 6. The sprocket of claim 4, wherein an axial width of a top land of the tip portion of the second teeth is greater than an axial width of a top land of the tip portion of the first teeth.
 7. The sprocket of claim 1, wherein the insert portions comprise a first insert portion on a first side of the sprocket, and a second insert portion on a second side of the sprocket.
 8. A sprocket, comprising: first teeth having a first maximum axial width; and second teeth having a second maximum axial width greater than the first maximum axial width, the second teeth alternately arranged with the first teeth, the second teeth each having insert portions to define the second maximum axial width thereof, wherein the insert portions include a lateral portion and a tip portion extended from the lateral portion, wherein the lateral portion of the insert portions provides a lateral surface to the second teeth, and wherein the second maximum axial width of the second teeth is defined at the lateral surface of the lateral portion of the insert portions, wherein the tip portion of the insert portions is tapered in a radial direction from the lateral portion of the insert portions.
 9. The sprocket of claim 8, wherein the second teeth are substantially symmetrical about a centerline oriented substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the sprocket.
 10. The sprocket of claim 9, wherein a midline of the insert portions substantially coincides with a plane extended radially from the rotational axis of the sprocket through a root center and a tip center of a respective one of the second teeth.
 11. The sprocket of claim 8, wherein the first teeth and the second teeth each include a tip portion, a root portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween, wherein an axial width of the intermediate portion of the second teeth is substantially equal to an axial width of the intermediate portion of the first teeth.
 12. The sprocket of claim 11, wherein the first maximum axial width of the first teeth is defined at the intermediate portion of the first teeth.
 13. The sprocket of claim 11, wherein an axial width of a top land of the tip portion of the second teeth is greater than an axial width of a top land of the tip portion of the first teeth.
 14. The sprocket of claim 8, wherein the insert portions comprise a first insert portion on a first side of the sprocket, and a second insert portion on a second side of the sprocket.
 15. A sprocket, comprising: alternating first and second teeth, the first teeth having a first maximum axial width, and the second teeth having a second maximum axial width greater than the first maximum axial width, the second maximum axial width of the second teeth defined by additional components to the second teeth, the additional components excluded from the first teeth, wherein the additional components include one or more protrusions, and the second teeth include one or more cavities to receive the one or more protrusions.
 16. The sprocket of claim 15, wherein the additional components are axially fit to a respective one of the second teeth.
 17. The sprocket of claim 15, wherein the one or more cavities of the second teeth are formed in a recessed area, and the additional components are received within the recessed area.
 18. A sprocket, comprising: alternating first and second teeth, the first teeth having a first maximum axial width, and the second teeth having a second maximum axial width greater than the first maximum axial width, the second maximum axial width of the second teeth defined by additional components to the second teeth, wherein the additional components include one or more protrusions, and the second teeth include one or more cavities to receive the one or more protrusions.
 19. The sprocket of claim 18, wherein the one or more cavities of the second teeth are formed in a recessed area, and the additional components are received within the recessed area.
 20. The sprocket of claim 18, wherein the additional components are axially fit to a respective one of the second teeth. 